Pokémon GO is a lot of fun, to be sure. It’s probably one of the best — and certainly one of the most popular — augmented reality games to date, and it’s still wildly popular the world over. The problem is the whole “you have to go places” thing.
For some people, that’s just not possible. Maybe you’re too busy, or house-bound for one reason or another. Or perhaps you just can’t afford to travel to other countries to get the region-exclusive Pokémon that are out there. There might be a shiny on someone else’s private property, or one that has yet to be removed from the perimeter of a government facility, and you don’t feel like getting arrested today.
Those are all valid reasons for wanting to travel places virtually, rather than physically, and they shouldn’t stop you experiencing everything the game has to offer. Luckily, I can help with that. All you need is CyberGhost VPN on your phone, a GPS spoofing app, and a few minutes to set it all up.
Here’s how to get started:
Quick Guide: How to Change Your Pokemon Go Region with a VPN
- Sign up for CyberGhost VPN
- Download a GPS spoofing app for your phone, and enable Mock Locations (Android) or Simulated Location (iPhone)
- Connect to a VPN server in the desired location, and set your GPS coordinates to match
- Become the Pokémon Master you always knew you could be
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Pokémon GO Location
Alright, here’s the more in-depth guide to getting the most out of Pokémon GO without becoming a literal frequent flyer, with all the details that you need to know:

On Your Phone
- Sign up for CyberGhost VPN and download the app on your phone.
- Adjust your phone’s location settings.
- On Android, this means enabling the Android Developer Settings and then enabling the Mock Locations setting. You can find plenty of tutorials for this online.
- On iOS, you may need to jailbreak your iPhone or iPad. Most apps offering advanced features like GPS spoofing require this.
- Start up CyberGhost VPN, and connect to a VPN server in the region where you want to explore.
- Download a GPS spoofing app. There’s a list of good ones below.
- It won’t work without this step. Pokémon GO checks your IP address against your GPS coordinates to verify your location, so you shouldn’t start the game until you have both the VPN and the GPS spoofer up and running.
- It won’t work without this step. Pokémon GO checks your IP address against your GPS coordinates to verify your location, so you shouldn’t start the game until you have both the VPN and the GPS spoofer up and running.
- Set your GPS coordinates to a place in the same region as the VPN server.
- Start up the game, and start playing.
- To move around the map, you’ll need to switch between the game and the GPS spoofing app to alter your location. However, some of the apps listed below offer the option to use another device, such as a laptop, to control your location without having to leave the game on your phone.
On an Emulator
If you’re running the game in an emulator, the process is essentially the same. The only difference is that it’s probably best if you install the CyberGhost VPN app on the host operating system, rather than use the mobile version in the emulator. It’s likely to work better.
- Sign up for CyberGhost VPN.
- You may still need to enable the developer settings on your virtual device, depending on the emulator. Either way, make sure that Mock Locations is enabled.
- Download the app on the host operating system.
- CyberGhost offers native VPN apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux, so you can just download the right app for your platform.
- CyberGhost offers native VPN apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux, so you can just download the right app for your platform.
- Start up CyberGhost VPN, and connect to a VPN server in the region where you want to explore.
- Download a GPS spoofing app, ideally from the list below.
- Every emulator is different, so you may have to try a few different GPS spoofing apps to see if they work. Alternatively, see if your emulator comes with a location-changing tool built in.
- Every emulator is different, so you may have to try a few different GPS spoofing apps to see if they work. Alternatively, see if your emulator comes with a location-changing tool built in.
- Set your GPS coordinates to a place in the same region as the VPN server.
- Start up the game, and start playing.
The Best Apps for Changing Your GPS Location in Pokémon GO
Here’s a list of the 7 best GPS spoofing apps for Pokémon GO you can use to change your location and enjoy the game without leaving the comfort of your home. At least one of them is actually specifically designed for use with the game, but they’re all great options, and most of them have a free plan.
App | Platform | Free/Paid | Control from PC |
Fake GPS location | Android | Free, no ads | No |
iOS Roaming Guide | iOS | Free, no ads | No |
Fake GPS | Android | Free with ads, paid pro version | No |
Mock Locations | Android | Free with ads, paid pro version | No |
iPoGo | iOS, Android | Free, subscription-based VIP version | No |
Dr. Fone | iOS, Android | Paid subscription | Yes |
iTools by ThinkSky | iOS | One-time fee for multiple licenses | Yes |
Extra Tips and Tricks for Changing Your Pokémon GO Region
Here are a few more things you need to know before you get started:
Use a VPN Kill Switch
CyberGhost VPN comes with a built-in kill switch, which automatically blocks all internet traffic on your device if the VPN disconnects for any reason.
This is typically used to keep any of your information from leaking on unsecured networks but… in this case, it’s good for keeping Pokémon GO from seeing your real IP address by accident. It’s just good to use it either way.
Read the Reviews for the GPS Spoofing Apps
Even the ones recommended above. There are two reasons for this.
- If you choose an app that’s not on this list, you want to make sure it’s legit, especially if you have to install it from a third-party source. Sketchy apps are often made to collect your data to sell, or compromise your phone in some way, so be careful.
- If you see recent reports of the app in question sometimes disconnecting, and exposing your real location, try a different one first.
Don’t Teleport Around the World
If you’re catching Pokémon in Amsterdam one moment, and then catching them in Mexico the next, that’s a dead giveaway. It’s best to space your virtual foreign vacations apart, and only go once in a while. For the most part, you should play in the region where you signed up, or where you currently live.
Play the Game Right as Much as You Can
Listen, I’m a life-long introvert. I entirely understand the desire to stay inside, and not go places. But if you’re physically able, then you should get out and play Pokémon GO normally.
Walking is fantastic exercise, and actually playing the game on the go is good for your account. The more you play legitimately, the less likely you are to get in trouble for changing your location with software, and the longer you can keep playing.
Just uh, remember to avoid private and government property. No matter how rare that shiny Pokémon is, it’s not worth going to jail.
Why CyberGhost Is the Best VPN for Gaming
CyberGhost VPN works hard to be the best gaming VPN out there. It manages this by offering a huge server network with locations in 100 countries. The servers themselves are tuned for speed, processing oceans of data in milliseconds to make sure lag is never an issue.
CyberGhost VPN also hides your IP address, and protects all traffic going between you and the VPN server with strong encryption. Changing your IP adds a layer of anonymity to your connection. VPN encryption makes it a lot harder for people to steal your personal data like your credit card info, and is a must-have on any network, but especially on unsecured networks like public Wi-Fi and cellular networks.
With apps for just about every operating system, CyberGhost VPN has you covered whether you’re on your iOS or Android device, or an emulator.
All this comes with 24/7 customer support to help you with any issues, available by live chat and email. And, if you want to try it out risk-free, there’s a 45-day money-back guarantee with all subscriptions 6 months or longer.
FAQ
Yes and no. You can play it anywhere, outside of a couple of countries where Niantic just doesn’t operate. However, certain Pokémon are only available in specific regions, and there’s no way to get them outside of going to those places, changing your location with a VPN & GPS spoofer, or trading with other players (which is probably the intended solution.)
It’s pretty easy. First, sign up for CyberGhost VPN and download the app for your phone. Then, grab a GPS spoofing app. Log in to CyberGhost VPN, and connect to a VPN server in the country you want, and set your GPS coordinates for the same region in the spoofing app. Then start up the game, and start catching shinies.
No and yes. If you just use a VPN normally, to safeguard your mobile data while you play, there won’t be any issue. However, using a VPN in conjunction with a GPS spoofing app is — while not illegal — against the Pokémon GO TOS, and may result in suspensions or bans. So while it’s fairly easy to do this, and fun, you do it at your own risk.
Yes. While it was unavailable in France and a few other countries around 2016, it has since expanded to be available almost everywhere that the Apple Store and the Google Play Store are available. Current exceptions include Russia — part of which is technically in Europe — and Belarus. Niantic doesn’t operate in these countries.
2024 European regional exclusives include: Mr. Mime, Volbeat, Zangoose, Lunatone, Solrock, Tropius, Shellos, Mime Jr., Pansear, Sawk, Basculin, Sigilyph, Heatmor, Klefki, Red Flabébé, Kartana, Stakataka, Blacephalon, and Stonjourner. There are also several variants and patterns that are only available in Europe, so you may want to check different countries.
Short of booking a flight, you’ll need to change your location in the game. You can accomplish this with CyberGhost VPN, a GPS spoofing app, and about five minutes to set everything up. Just download one of our VPN apps, connect to a server, set matching GPS coordinates in the spoofer app, and play.
Leave a comment
Michel
Posted on 28/04/2022 at 01:58
Can I also use this for example badoo, tinder etc.?
Ghostie
Posted on 30/04/2022 at 08:41
Great question, Michel.
Location spoofing alters your device’s GPS coordinates, so all GPS-dependent apps will default to your mock location — including the services you mentioned.
Remember: Just because you can, it doesn’t mean you should. Both Tinder and Badoo state falsifying your location is a violation of their respective community guidelines. We don’t condone breaching any app’s terms of service, with or without a VPN.
Stay safe, have fun, and be kind to your potential matches!